News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Concerns over the potential dangers of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) have intensified after researchers and technology professionals warned that the development of increasingly autonomous systems could pose a serious threat to humanity.

The latest warning came from 27-year-old British AI researcher Jacob Coxon, who recently resigned from Anthropic, the company behind Claude, after previously working at OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

Coxon said he spent about three years conducting AI pre-training research at the two companies. He claimed both firms were moving rapidly towards self-improving super-intelligent AI without sufficient safety measures.

Speaking to CNN, Coxon said recent developments in AI showed why the risks should not be dismissed as science fiction.

“It sounds like something that’s not real, but I think it is frighteningly real and it’s easiest to understand it if you think about real things that happened two months ago.

“So, two months ago, OpenAI agents hacked into third-party infrastructure entirely at their own accord. And this was like a concentrated hacking spree that they carried out of their own volition.

“And I think that if you extrapolate into the future the level of capabilities of these AIs with the same independent volition, they could cause extreme havoc.”

Coxon also warned that AI was approaching a point where it could replace humans in several fields, particularly coding, mathematics and research.

“For example, in areas like coding or maths, a couple of years ago, these AIs were just about helping humans a little bit. They could give you suggestions. Now they’re close to replacing them.

“We still need humans at the moment, but quite plausibly, within a year, we’ll no longer need humans for doing research in many areas.

“Only on Tuesday, OpenAI solved a millennium problem, one of the biggest unsolved open problems in mathematics, purely autonomously using an AI. And I think what’s most scary is if AI is used to make itself more intelligent.”

He said AI systems were no longer limited to assisting people with tasks but were increasingly capable of operating independently.

“The AI just gets smarter and smarter with no human involvement necessary, until you have a thing that is vastly smarter than humans,” he added.

Following his resignation and public warnings, Coxon said some people within the AI industry were themselves deeply concerned about the possible consequences.

“The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade,” he wrote on X on Friday.

AI Experts Back Coxon’s Concerns

Coxon’s claims drew responses from several professionals within the AI sector, with some expressing similar fears about the possibility of advanced AI systems becoming difficult to control.

Anthropic’s Alignment Science Lead, Evan Hubinger, said he considered the probability of such an outcome within the next decade to be significant.

“Jacob is correct here—we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it’s >10% within the next decade. I believe Anthropic is trying its best, but we do not yet have a plan to solve alignment for superintelligence and are not clearly on track to,” Hubinger said.

Anna Wang, Chief US Economist at Anthropic and a former employee of Google DeepMind, said Coxon’s concerns reflected views held by some of her colleagues.

“I worked at Google DeepMind and now at Anthropic. This is a common sentiment amongst my peers. (I write this in personal capacity.) There is not yet a viable scientific plan to solve risks from recursively self-improving AI. Please look up,” she stated.

Ethan Perez, Anthropic’s Alignment Team Lead and a former colleague of Coxon, also endorsed the concerns raised by the researcher.

“Jacob was a senior researcher who joined Anthropic in May. My Anthropic colleagues and I had been trying to recruit him for ~2 years, because we knew he was a strong researcher at OpenAI. Before he left, I pitched him to stay and join my team, and I was sad he decided to leave, as are many of my colleagues. 100% agree with him that AI poses serious risks to society, and I’m glad he’s speaking out!” Perez added.

Expert Outlines Possible Ways AI Could Harm Humans

Sky News technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe also outlined possible scenarios in which AI could cause catastrophic harm.

He spoke during a ‘This Is Why’ programme with Niall Paterson, where he discussed the potential consequences of giving increasingly capable AI systems instructions to solve complex problems.

Manthorpe said one possible scenario involved AI being used to create a super-virus capable of killing people across the world.

He also raised another possibility in which an AI system could turn against humans.

He said “it doesn’t much like us and starts to go after us.”

“In some variation on what people called the paper-clip problem, which is telling an intelligent, determined and highly capable AI to go make paper clips, it follows your instruction literally and turns the whole world into paper clips,” Manthorpe said.

Although he acknowledged that such scenarios may sound extreme, Manthorpe said the risks could become more serious if humans become excessively dependent on AI.

US, UK Lawmakers Raise Alarm

The debate has also reached political circles in the United States and the United Kingdom, where lawmakers have called for stronger measures to regulate AI.

US Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas described AI as a “catastrophic risk” to humanity, according to The Guardian.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont also called for caution over the development of artificial superintelligence.

“A recent poll shows that the American people overwhelmingly want to ban artificial super intelligence and pause the development of AI until we establish clear safety standards.”

Democratic Representative Lori Trahan of Massachusetts also expressed concern about developments within the industry.

“The call is coming from inside the house. Safety researchers are resigning, powerful AI models are breaking out of their labs, and companies are racing ahead anyway.”

In the UK, Chi Onwurah, the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, introduced a bill seeking to prevent technology companies from creating digital replicas of people without their consent.

Presenting the ‘There Is Only One Me’ bill in the House of Commons on Thursday, the British-Nigerian lawmaker said:

“Today, I presented a bill to stop ‘digital twinning’ without express consent.”

“Now, Madam Deputy Speaker, we know that tech companies collect data on everything we do, every click we make, every photo we share, every sandwich we buy, every post we like,” she said.

“But now that data is being combined with AI to turn an individual, for example, you, Madam Deputy Speaker, into an algorithm to predict your behaviour, to target advertising at you, to persuade you to watch a particular video or believe a dodgy news report. Think about it.”

Trump Says US Must Maintain AI Lead Over China

Despite the warnings from researchers and lawmakers, US President Donald Trump said his main concern was ensuring that the United States remained ahead of China in AI development.

When journalists asked him in Dallas on Thursday whether he had concerns about AI threatening humanity, Trump responded:

“No, I don’t have any.”

“I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position,” the president said. “We are leading China right now by a pretty good period. I would say a year, which is, you know, considered a lot.”

A Nigerian AI expert and Chief Executive Officer of Realsearch and Partners Limited, Enakirerhi Ejovwoke, also cautioned against treating the warnings as proof that AI would inevitably destroy humanity.

He described the concerns as “the fear of the unknown” and argued that technological progress had historically generated fears about its consequences.

“That fear is understandable because the future is inherently difficult to predict, and history repeatedly reminds us that even highly informed experts and institutions can substantially misjudge how emerging technologies will develop,” Ejovwoke said.

He nevertheless acknowledged the need for stronger safeguards around AI development.

“The lesson is not that experts are useless. The lesson is that the future often unfolds in ways that even experts cannot completely anticipate. My position, therefore, is not safety versus innovation. We need safe innovation.

“We should build stronger safeguards at the same time that we continue experimenting, researching and creating. Safety should shape the direction and speed of progress, not become an excuse to abandon progress altogether.

“I also don’t believe AI represents the final stage of human innovation. The internet did not end innovation. Instead, it created the foundation for cloud computing, smartphones, social networks, digital commerce and eventually modern AI. AI itself will almost certainly expose another layer of possibilities that we cannot fully see Today.”

Anthropic Says It Has Disrupted Malicious AI Use

Anthropic, meanwhile, said it had already taken action against attempts to misuse its AI systems for potentially dangerous purposes.

According to a BBC News report, the company said its threat intelligence team had identified and disrupted efforts by threat actors to use Claude for malicious activities, including activities related to biological weapons research.

Anthropic said, “Over the past eight months, our threat intelligence team identified and disrupted operations in which threat actors tried to use Claude for malicious activity.

“In each case, we disrupted the activity, used what we learned to strengthen our safeguards, and shared intelligence with authorities and industry partners, where appropriate.”

The warnings have added to a growing international debate over how governments and technology companies should balance the rapid development of AI with measures designed to prevent misuse and reduce potential risks to society.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kogi West senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, has cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against inviting the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for questioning over alleged financial crimes.

Melaye issued the warning on Thursday at the ADC All Support Groups town hall meeting in Abuja, where he opposed renewed calls for investigations into allegations against the former vice-president.

The meeting, themed “Together we can Build the Nigeria We Desire”, focused on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit coordination, vote protection and greater participation of youths, women and support groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Melaye argued that Atiku had undergone several investigations by government institutions over the years without any conviction.

“Atiku was part of the government that created the EFCC. You cannot use the EFCC to torment the creator of the EFCC,” he said.

His remarks followed a petition by former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, who urged the EFCC to reopen investigations into allegations involving Atiku.

Agbonayinma, through his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo of Sagitarian Law Firm, reportedly gave the commission 14 days to act on the petition. The request referred to an EFCC investigation and report concerning Atiku from 2005 and 2006, when he served as vice-president.

The petition also cited a 2010 report by the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which allegedly contained claims of money laundering and other financial offences involving the former vice-president.

Melaye maintained that the allegations had already received extensive attention from the government during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I, as Dino Melaye, I am aware that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have been investigated by Olusegun Obasanjo and the federal government time and time and time and time again,” he said.

“In fact, federal government versus Atiku Abubakar, 13 cases. And Atiku Abubakar won all the 13 cases.”

‘Invite Atiku And See Trouble’

Melaye further warned that any attempt to invite or arrest Atiku over what he described as politically motivated petitions would face resistance from the ADC and its supporters.

“My note of warning is this. And this note of warning is straight to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That the day EFCC invites Atiku Abubakar before election, then Tinubu will know that government is not owned by those in government,” he said.

“Government is owned by the people. Any day, due to these frivolous petitions, you invite, arrest or interview Atiku Abubakar, and we are not saying it with fear or favour; we mean it. Invite Atiku and see trouble.”

Drawing from the 2011 uprising in Tunisia, Melaye said Nigerians could also challenge the government if they became convinced that state institutions were being deployed against opposition politicians.

“We will tell you that what happened in Tunisia can happen in Nigeria. We will prove to you that those in government are less than one percent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“We will prove to you that the people own government. Government is not owned by those in government.”

‘They Have Investigated Atiku Everywhere’

The former senator also dismissed the renewed allegations against Atiku, insisting that authorities had subjected him to investigations in several places.

“They have investigated Atiku everywhere. The only thing they are yet to find out about Atiku is where his placenta was buried. They have done everything,” he said.

The development comes shortly after Atiku rejected calls for the EFCC to reopen the allegations against him. He said the issues had previously been considered by the EFCC, an administrative panel, the National Assembly and the courts.

Atiku also stated that no court had convicted him over the allegations and challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to submit it for legal examination.

The former vice-president accused supporters of the administration of President Bola Tinubu of reviving old allegations in an attempt to divert public attention from Nigeria’s economic and security problems.

The EFCC has not publicly disclosed whether it will act on Agbonayinma’s petition.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Four police officers and seven civilians have been killed after suspected bandits attacked Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Benue State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Orchia Aondongu.

According to the command, the attackers, said to be operating in large numbers, stormed the community at about 6:12pm on Thursday.

Police personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), tactical units and conventional police formations were deployed to confront the attackers.

Aondongu said the security personnel engaged the bandits in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours before forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding forest.

“The operatives stood firm in defence of the community and successfully repelled the attack, forcing the criminal elements to retreat into the surrounding forest with heavy casualties in the early hours of 11th September 2026,” the statement reads.

The command, however, confirmed the loss of four officers during the confrontation.

“Regrettably, four police officers paid the supreme price in the course of defending the community. Their bodies were subsequently recovered during search and rescue operations in the surrounding bushes.

“The corpses of seven civilians were also recovered following the attack and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.”

The police said more tactical personnel had been deployed to the area to reinforce the existing security arrangements.

Alia Condemns Attack, Calls It Threat To Benue’s Stability

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the attack, describing it as a despicable act against the people of Ayilamo.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor described the attack on the “peace-loving people of Ayilamo” as a “grave threat to the security and stability of Benue state.”

Alia said the incident highlighted the continuing security challenges faced by vulnerable communities and security personnel in the area.

“The reported killing of four law enforcement officers is particularly painful and underscores the enormous sacrifices being made by security personnel in the line of duty,” the governor said.

“I extend heartfelt condolences to the people of Ayilamo, the families of all the victims, and the entire Logo Local Government community.

‘We mourn with you and assure you that you are not alone in this difficult period”.

The governor also expressed his condolences to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, over the deaths of the four officers.

Alia also praised the Department of State Services (DSS), especially its personnel in Benue and Nasarawa states, for what he described as a “prompt and professional operation” that resulted in the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to the attack.

He said the arrests could help security agencies establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

“We urge the DSS to intensify its investigation and make the best use of the information obtained from the suspects in its custody,” Alia said.

“Every available lead should be diligently followed to identify and arrest the remaining accomplices, sponsors, collaborators, and other persons connected with the attack. All those found culpable must face the full weight of the law.”

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to work with security agencies to improve protection in Ayilamo, Logo and other communities considered vulnerable across Benue State.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, has concluded a four-day capacity-building programme for stakeholders on conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence.

The training, which ended on Friday, brought together representatives of security agencies, government ministries, farmers and pastoralists, traditional and religious institutions, women and other stakeholders involved in the livestock sector.

The Daily Reality reports that the programme was organised to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and existing conflict committees at state and local government levels to identify early warning signs, prevent conflicts and respond appropriately to emerging disputes.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of L-PRES in Kano, Sule Saleh, who represented the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, said the programme had significantly improved participants’ understanding of conflict prevention and resolution.

Saleh said the participants came from different backgrounds and initially had varying levels of knowledge about conflict mitigation, but had gained practical skills during the four-day engagement.

“To be candid with you, as of today, I believe we are more than learners. We have learned a lot about how to mediate conflict and how to identify what triggers that conflict,” he said.

He explained that the training covered issues including resource control, access to grazing areas and water resources, livestock movement, community-level peacebuilding and the management of conflicts that could arise from development interventions.

According to him, L-PRES had established conflict committees at different levels to ensure that emerging disputes were addressed before they escalated from the community level to local government and state levels.

Saleh cited the construction of solar-powered boreholes and animal drinking points in 36 Ruga communities across Kano State as an example of how conflict-sensitive planning could prevent potential disputes.

He said the project had designed separate water access points for surrounding communities to prevent disagreements between farmers and pastoralists over the use of the facilities.

“The intervention may lead to conflicting interests between farmers and herders. So, to solve that issue, right from design, L-PRES designed a separate tap where the communities can access that particular water,” he explained.

Saleh said the approach was intended to reduce tension and promote peaceful coexistence between livestock farmers and members of the wider communities.

Also speaking, the National Conflict Specialist of L-PRES, Nazifi Ibrahim Wada, said the project was supporting existing conflict committees in Kano State because of their important role in preventing farmer-herder conflicts.

Wada explained that the committees had been working to prevent conflicts and needed continuous capacity building, training and relevant materials to strengthen their day-to-day activities.

He said the training focused on early warning and early response, mediation, dialogue and gender inclusion, among other areas.

“We are building the capacity of the conflict committee members in Kano State, that is, both the state and local conflict committees,” Wada said.

According to him, participants were trained on how to detect potential conflicts before they occurred and how to respond promptly when tensions began to emerge.

Wada expressed confidence in the participants, saying their commitment and interaction with facilitators during the programme demonstrated that they were prepared to apply the knowledge gained.

He said the participants represented a broad range of institutions, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, forestry and land resources.

He added that representatives of farmers, pastoralists, traditional rulers and religious leaders also participated in the programme.

In his remarks, Paul Andrew Gwaza of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, described the four-day engagement as more than a conventional training, saying it provided an opportunity for critical stakeholders to jointly examine the causes of conflict and possible solutions.

Gwaza said the programme included participatory stakeholder mapping, focus group discussions, multi-stakeholder dialogue and sessions on conflict analysis and peace analysis.

He added that participants were also trained on the Do No Harm framework, gender and social inclusion, mediation, negotiation, traditional peacebuilding methods, grievance redress and referral pathways.

Other areas covered, according to him, included conflict-sensitive investment planning and the legal and policy framework relating to peacebuilding and livestock development in Kano State.

“This four-day engagement is not just training. It is engagement with critical stakeholders in Kano State,” Gwaza said.

He said the institute conducted a pre-engagement assessment to determine the participants’ level of knowledge before the programme and would also conduct a post-engagement evaluation to measure the impact of the training.

Gwaza, however, said the participants had already demonstrated noticeable improvements in their skills, competence and enthusiasm throughout the programme.

He urged the participants to become active peace agents by taking peace messages to their communities, markets, town hall meetings and other public spaces.

“The call that we have been echoing to them is that they are now peace agents. When you are a peace agent, you are expected to propagate peace messages,” he said.

Gwaza stressed the need for inclusion in development processes, warning that ignoring the grievances of individuals or groups could create conditions for wider conflict.

He urged stakeholders to promote social cohesion, unity and peaceful coexistence rather than messages capable of deepening divisions within society.

Also speaking, Hadiza Aminu Kabara, Gender Officer at the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, described the programme as informative and impactful.

Kabara said the training focused on conflict prevention and resolution, referral pathways and appropriate actions to be taken when conflicts were identified.

She said participants were sensitised on the importance of identifying and reporting conflicts at their early stages to relevant authorities and institutions before they escalated.

According to her, the programme was particularly important because of the persistent farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria, which affect both farmers and pastoralists.

Kabara commended L-PRES for providing designated routes for pastoralists to move their livestock without passing through farmlands, saying such initiatives could help reduce clashes and promote peaceful coexistence.

She said the training had increased participants’ knowledge and awareness of conflict prevention, adding that the knowledge acquired would be useful in their respective communities and institutions.

The Daily Reality gathered that the conclusion of the programme is expected to strengthen the capacity of Kano State’s conflict committees and other stakeholders to identify early warning signs, facilitate dialogue, mediate disputes and address grievances before they escalate, thereby contributing to peaceful coexistence and improved livestock productivity across the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly arrested a 50-year-old woman in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State for allegedly transporting 300 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag.

According to preliminary military findings, the woman travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia in Nasarawa State, where she allegedly collected the ammunition before heading towards Kaduna State. The Army said the ammunition was allegedly being transported for delivery to suspected bandits operating in the Birnin Gwari forest area of Kaduna State.

The suspect was reportedly arrested during a military operation, while the ammunition was recovered from her possession. She is currently in custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement of the ammunition and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged operation.

The arrest comes amid ongoing military operations against banditry and other security threats in parts of the North-West.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Government has approved the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government of Nigeria–Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN–ASUU) Salary Agreement for academic staff of Kaduna State University (KASU).

The new salary structure will take effect from the October 2026 salary.

The approval was based on the report and recommendations of a 9-member Government–KASU–ASUU Negotiation Committee established by Governor Uba Sani to review the demands of the union and recommend a sustainable framework for implementation.

The approved package covers provisions contained in the 2025 FGN–ASUU Agreement, including the revised Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS), Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and other applicable salary adjustments and allowances.

The state government said the decision reflects Governor Sani’s commitment to education and human-capital development.

According to the government, at least 25 percent of Kaduna State’s annual budget has been allocated to education since Sani assumed office. It added that 3,267 classrooms have been constructed or renovated, alongside 1,194 toilets and 90 boreholes.

The government also said 57,777 units of furniture have been supplied to learners and teachers across the state, while other education projects remain ongoing.

It further highlighted the approval of a 50 percent reduction in tertiary education fees and the extension of the retirement age for school teachers from 60 to 65 years.

On the challenge of out-of-school children, the government said more than 300,000 children have returned to education from an estimated population of over 500,000 out-of-school children inherited in 2023.

It said Kaduna’s household-mapping approach for identifying out-of-school children has since been adopted by the Federal Government as a model for addressing the problem nationwide.

The state government also said 4,050 young people have graduated from its structured vocational-training programme. According to the government, the Federal Ministry of Education has requested Kaduna’s technical and vocational training manuals for use as reference materials at the national level.

The government further pointed to reforms at the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), which it said has been transformed into a more technology-driven and data-based institution.

Following the approval, the state government called on ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT to continue to use dialogue to resolve differences.

It said improved welfare for university staff should lead to better teaching, research, innovation and student outcomes at KASU.

The government also urged the university to pursue measures that would improve its international standing and visibility in global university rankings, including the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.

The state government commended KASU management, ASUU and other stakeholders for their patience and engagement throughout the negotiation process.

It said the approval represents an investment in the university community and a renewed commitment to making KASU a peaceful, competitive and accountable institution capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.

The statement was signed on September 11, 2026, by Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, OON, NPOM, Commissioner for Education and Chairman of the 9-Member Government–KASU–ASUU Negotiation Committee.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Acting Commander of the 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Colonel Joseph Umaru, has ordered commanders and troops under the brigade’s area of responsibility in Kebbi State to step up intelligence-led operations against bandits and other criminal groups.

Umaru issued the directive during a familiarisation tour of military units across the state between September 8 and 9, 2026.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Thursday.

The commander called on the troops to improve intelligence gathering and information sharing while strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders.

He said such cooperation would help restrict the activities of criminals and prevent them from operating freely within the state.

Umaru also directed commanders to maintain coordinated and proactive operations. He reminded the troops to remain professional, comply strictly with the rules of engagement and protect civilians during their operations.

The Acting Brigade Commander further highlighted the need to prioritise the welfare, motivation, training and professional development of personnel.

He urged commanders to embrace the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldiers First” mantra.

Umaru said properly led, motivated and equipped troops would be in a stronger position to maintain operational pressure and successfully carry out their assigned responsibilities.

As part of the tour, he reviewed the operational readiness of formations under the brigade and examined the challenges affecting their operations.

The units visited included the 223 Light Tank Battalion in Zuru, the COAS Intervention Battalion III in Sakaba and 1 Battalion in Birnin Kebbi.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested three suspected members of a terrorist network during separate operations across Kaduna State.

Those arrested include an alleged terrorist kingpin, a suspected ammunition courier and a suspected logistics supplier.

The operations took place on Wednesday in Kubau, Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist groups and their supply networks.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X on Thursday night.

According to Makama, troops conducted a raid on Dabar Dabo in Kubau Local Government Area, which was identified as a hideout used by terrorists.

The operation led to the arrest of the suspected kingpin and two other members of his group.

“The suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation and intelligence gathering,” Makama wrote.

In a separate operation in Igabi Local Government Area, troops intercepted a 50-year-old woman suspected of transporting ammunition.

Security personnel reportedly recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag in her possession.

Makama said preliminary investigations indicated that the woman had travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition before proceeding to Birnin Gwari to deliver it to suspected terrorist elements in the area.

Later on Wednesday, troops, with support from a community vigilante group, arrested another suspected logistics supplier in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of four communication devices believed to be linked to terrorist activities,” Makama wrote.

Makama said the suspects and items recovered during the operations remained in military custody as investigations continued.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has called on the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition and support the NDC.

Kwankwaso made the appeal on Thursday when he received members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja.

The former Kano State governor urged Atiku to step aside for the NDC ticket and assured him that he would be taken care of if the party eventually wins the presidency.

“Step down for us; if we win, we will take care of you,” Kwankwaso said.

The appeal comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition politicians to form a united front against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, a former Vice President, remains one of the prominent opposition figures seeking the presidency in 2027.

Kwankwaso and the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had previously been associated with the ADC before they left the party in May. They cited internal divisions and court cases within the party as reasons for their departure.

Their move to the NDC has added to the realignment among opposition politicians ahead of the next presidential election.

By Dahiru Ƙasimu Adamu 

In northern Nigeria, disability has long been viewed as a one-way ticket to a life of begging. But Imrana Aminu Sifawa is rewriting that narrative through academic achievement.

When a child is born with a disability in northern Nigeria, tradition often dictates their future: they beg. It’s a grim expectation that has consigned countless individuals to a life of dependency rather than dignity.

But Imrana Aminu Sifawa refuses to be a statistic. Born completely blind in 2001 in Sifawa town, Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto State, this young man has spent his life shattering stereotypes and reaching academic heights that many sighted individuals never reach.

Imrana’s educational journey began at AA Raji Special School Sokoto, where he completed both primary and secondary education. But he didn’t stop there.

He later earned his National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Islamic Studies, with a specialisation in Special Education in Islam, from Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto. Today, he is pursuing a degree in Islamic Studies at the same institution, affiliated with Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS).

Recognising that the world is moving rapidly toward technology, Imrana earned a Diploma in Computer from Kebbi State School for Special Needs in Birnin Kebbi, where he mastered computer operation and networking.

“I have knowledge of operating computers,” Imrana declares with quiet confidence. “Even now, if you bring one to me, I will operate it. I understand its features, how it works, how letters are arranged, and how to type.”

Imrana’s intellectual pursuits extend beyond secular education. He has completely memorised the Holy Qur’an and studied Hadith extensively. His command of Islamic scholarship is evident when he quotes Imam Shafi’i: “Kulli yaumil zadal ilmi zadani ilmul bi jahali…” (Every day knowledge increases, and my knowledge of my ignorance increases…)

In Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), he has studied Mukhtasarul Khalil, Lawali, and Sani, among others.

What drives this remarkable young man? A deep-seated rejection of the fate society had planned for him.

“I grew up disinterested in begging, and I completely hate it,” Imrana states firmly.

His determination was fueled by his father’s unwavering support; his father, a retired civil servant, said that politicians and wealthy individuals never helped with his school fees.

Imrana’s path has been anything but smooth. He openly acknowledges the discrimination he has faced.

“The challenges are many, but to mention a few: discrimination,” he explains. “Whenever I set foot in education, some thought I could not do it. Some lecturers clearly hated me. Nevertheless, I endured, I resisted, and now I have attained it.”

He draws strength from the teachings of Ta’alimil Mutaalim: “Bijiddi la bi jiddi kulli muhataji…” (With effort, not with mere desire, every seeker achieves…)

Imrana is unequivocal in his message to people living with disabilities: shun begging, citing a powerful Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He warns: “Anyone who engages in begging on the Day of Judgment will wake up without any flesh on his body; it is the sign of beggars.”

In another tradition, he notes that anyone who begs invites poverty through their own actions.

“Begging is not good,” Imrana insists. “Most of those who rely on begging have many cows and flocks of sheep, but they cannot leave it; they have become addicted.”

Rather than begging, Imrana advocates for entrepreneurship as a path to dignity and self-sufficiency.

When asked about his own source of income, he reveals: “Walima (ceremonial gatherings) is one of my sources of income. When people have occasions like marriages or naming ceremonies, they invite me to present and educate attendees, and I earn income through that.”

Imrana urges wealthy individuals to provide people with disabilities with capital for investments that enable them to pursue their dreams and become stable, contributing members of society.

Several other people like Imrana can do better but have yet to receive encouragement and support.

If our society truly wants to thrive,  we must stop discriminating against people with disabilities. Instead, we must encourage them, integrate them, and support them in learning modern skills that will benefit them, their families, and society at large.

Imrana Aminu Sifawa’s story is not just about one man’s triumph over blindness; it’s a testament to the power of education, the strength of human will, and the urgent need to change society’s view of disability.

Imrana Aminu Sifawa’s message is clear: Disability is not a barrier. Begging is not a destiny. Education is the tool for success.